2012 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 191 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 16 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, other, labelsApr 9, 2013
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
191 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Dec 15, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 3, 2014
THE OVERHEAD SUNGLASSES HOLDER SUDDENLY FOLDED DOWN AND WOULD NOT SLIDE BACK INTO PLACE. THERE WAS NO FORCE USED AND IT APPEARED TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THE HOLDER BLOCKS THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY OPERATE A VEHICLE. A QUICK INTERNET SHOWS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Sep 1, 2014, crash
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WAS CROSSING INTERSECTION WITH GREEN LIGHT AND WAS STRUCK ON THE MIDDLE SIDE BY ONCOMING VEHICLE RUNNING A RED LIGHT. TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ROLLED 1.25 TIMES. TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HAD SECOND ROW SET UP IN BENCH CONFIGURATION WITH CENTER CONSOLE UNIT STOWED AS MANUAL INDICATED UNDER CENTER SEAT. CENTER CONSOLE UNIT DISLODGED DURING IMPACT AND/OR ROLL AND FLEW THROUGH REAR PASSENGER AREA, STRIKING TWO CHILDREN ON THE HEAD AND CAUSING HEAD/BRAIN INJURY (CONCUSSION AND LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS). *TR
Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2014
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR IS MALFUNCTIONING CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE WITH CLEARLY VIEWING THE ROADWAY. WITHOUT BEING MANIPULATED BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT, THE SUN VISOR--UNPROMPTED--HANGS DOWN PARTIALLY IN THE VISION OF THE VEHICLE DRIVER. ATTEMPTS TO PUSH THE VISOR BACK TO ITS CLOSED POSITION ARE UNSUCCESSFUL. KOONS TYSONS CORNER TOYOTA HAS BEEN INFORMED ON 08/25/2014. VEHICLE OWNER SEEKING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. *TR
Steering, Aug 23, 2014
OUR CAR MAKES A CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN U TURN TO THE RIGHT . IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE AND LOUD. THIS CONCERNS ME AS THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS VERY IMPORTANT. *TR
Structure, Jul 4, 2014
SEVERAL SMALL PAINT BUBBLES ON REAR HATCH. ONE HAD BURST AT SEAM OF TRIM AND IS RUSTING. SCREWS HOLDING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND ASSEMBLY ARE RUSTED. UNDERSIDE OF "HIGHLANDER" EMBLEM TRIM WHERE REAR CAMERA IS LOCATED IS CORRODED AND RUSTED. *TR
Structure, Jun 20, 2014
I OPENED THE POWER REAR DOOR BY DEPRESSING THE SWITCH NEXT TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DOOR BEGAN TO OPEN, MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, AND CLOSED ITSELF. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND MANUALLY OPENED THE REAR DOOR AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE LIFTGATE ARM (WITH THE SCREW AND WASHER STILL ATTACHED TO THE EXPOSED END) HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE DOOR. DESPITE HAVING 55K+ MILES, MY HIGHLANDER IS JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN EXCESSIVE USAGE OF THE POWER DOOR. I'LL BE TAKING IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT. *TR
Engine, Jun 12, 2014, fire
VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN SHALLOW WET SAND, WITHIN LESS THAN A COUPLE MINS OF ATTEMPTS TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD BY SPINNING WHEELS , THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND BECAME FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE ISSUE IS THE LITTLE THAT IT TOOK TO START A FIRE LIKE THIS - PERHAPS SOME COMPONENT NEEDS TO HAVE SAFETY FEATURE ADDED OR STERN WARNING COMMUNICATED AND POSTED IN THE CAR OF THIS DANGER. WE LEARNED THAT LESSON THE VERY HARD WAY. INTERNET SEARCHES AFTER THE FACT SHOW OCCURRENCES OF THIS SAME SCENARIO ON ICE, ETC ON MODERN CARS. *TR
Steering, May 25, 2014
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CLICKING FEEL IN THE STEERING SYSTEM ABOUT A YEAR AND 9 MONTHS FROM MANUFACTURE DATE. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A FAILED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND RECOMMEND INDICATE REPLACEMENT . I CONTACTED TOYOTA AS I FEEL REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY COMPANY DUE TO NATURE OF FAILURE AND AGE OF VEHICLE. THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED ANYTHING IN WAY IF ASSISTANCE AND HAVE NO RECALL PENDING EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM ACROSS THE WHOLE TOYOTA VEHICLE LINE UP. *TR
Power train, Apr 9, 2014
WE WERE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT WITH OUR 2 SMALL CHILDREN WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR JERKED LIKE WE WERE REAR ENDED. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN TO HAVE IT ONLY HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES. IT WAS VERY SCARY. IF WE WERE ON THE ROAD WE WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. WE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER WHICH WAS VERY FAR FROM OUR HOME. THE DEALER PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER FINDING METAL DEBRIS IN THE FLUID. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE CAR STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN AND WAS BROUGHT TO ANOTHER DEALER. THAT DEALER ORDERED YET ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND PUT IN A SECOND ONE MAKING SURE IT WAS CALIBRATED. TOYOTA CORPORATE OUT OF CALIFORNIA WAS INVOLVED THE WHOLE TIME. THEY RESPONDED AND WAS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING THAT HAD OCCURRED WITH THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 8, 2014
RIGHT FRONT DOOR DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING THE KEYLESS REMOTE HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO HAVE THE ACTUATOR REPLACED ON MARCH 17TH, 2014. NOW ON APRIL 8TH, 2014 DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING KEYLESS REMOTE AGAIN HAVING TO MANUALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND HAS TO HAVE THE ACTUATOR REPLACED. TWO ACTUATORS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 1 MONTH. SUV NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 2, 2014
WHILE PARKED AT A CURBSIDE, WITH ENGINE IDLING, I SPONTANEOUSLY DECIDED TO ADJUST MY TILT STEERING COLUMN (UP/DOWN) TO SEE IF THERE WAS A MORE COMFORTABLE POSITION TO DRIVE. WHEN I MOVED THE COLUMN DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME (I HAD NEVER TRIED TO ADJUST THE POSITION PREVIOUSLY, SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ONE YEAR EARLIER), THE CAR'S ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. I COULD NOT RE-START THE ENGINE AND ALL I KEPT THINKING WAS THANK-GOODNESS I WAS NOT DRIVING, AS I HAD LOST ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. THE RECENT HEADLINES ABOUT GM'S IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS AND DRIVERS SUDDENLY LOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING MADE ME REALIZE THAT I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN A SIMILAR CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL SITUATION, BECAUSE OF THE TILT-STEERING PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED. I THANK THE STARS THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING OR ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. APPARENTLY, AN IGNITION SWITCH WIRE SOMEHOW BECAME DETACHED OR BROKEN DUE TO MY SINGLE TILT ACTION. SCARY INDEED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2014
THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN WE CAME TO A STOP. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO HELP. THE CAR HAS TO BE TURNED OFF BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION OR SOLUTION FOR THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/25/14
Power train, Jan 14, 2014
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALER FOR A FACTORY RECALL TO REPLACE THE REAR DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY. THE CAR WAS DRIVING COMPLETELY NORMALLY WHEN TAKEN IN FOR THIS SERVICE. BUT WHEN PICKED UP, THE CAR WAS UNSAFE. IT DROVE NORMALLY AT LOW SPEEDS LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. BUT A COUPLE OF MILES LATER WHEN GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY, AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE REAR END STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS A DRAG ON FORWARD MOVEMENT, AND FELT LIKE IT WAS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. NO UNUSUAL NOISES WERE HEARD. EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE ACTIVATED AND SPEED REDUCED TO 25 MPH TO TRY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST OFF RAMP WAS TAKEN, AND THE DEALER NOTIFIED. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO KEPT IT FOR THE NEXT 36 HOURS. THE DEALER REPORTED NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND, AND NO REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE. THE VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN COMPLETELY NORMALLY AGAIN SINCE THEN. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS LATCHED TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS WERE LOOSE DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 15, 2013
I WAS ABOUT TO START THE CAR. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE LOWERED THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR AND THEN TRIED TO PUT IT BACK UP. WE HEARD A CLICK, AND FOUND THAT THE SUN VISOR WILL NOT GO BACK INTO THE "UP" POSITION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT AFFECTS MY VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Nov 5, 2013
AFTER DRIVING APROX 1200 MILES FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO FLORIDA NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR MATS UNDER THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE SOPPING WET. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO ARLINGTON TOYOTA IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA ON 12/27/2012 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM LOOKED INTO. SINCE I DID NOT HAVE A "REPAIR APPOINTMENT" IT WAS NECESSARY TO RETURN ON A LATER DATE. RETURNED ON 01/23/2013 AND SUBMITTED THE CAR FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS FOREIGN DEBRIS HAD ENTERED THE A/C SYSTEM AND CLOGGED THE DRAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS REPEATED ITSELF THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL REPAIR WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF SPIDERS BLOCKING THE DRAIN TUBE. THE WET FLOORS IN THE CAR AND THE RESULTING MOLD HAS TRIGGERED AN ALLERGIC REACTION AND CAUSED A SINUS INFECTION. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Oct 18, 2013
OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS WE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT SMELL IN OUR CAR. WE HAVE RUBBER FLOORMATS, SO DID NOT NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A DRAINAGE PROBLEM IN OUR A/C CONDENSER. THE BLOCKAGE CAUSED DRAINAGE TO BACK UP INTO THE BODY OF OUR VEHICLE AND MOLD STARTED TO GROW ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE CARPET UNDERNEATH THE RUBBER FLOORMATS. WE LATER LEARNED THAT THE BLOCKAGE WAS CAUSED BY A SPIDER WEB IN THE A/C CONDENSER DRAINAGE TUBE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CALLED TOYOTA AND LEARNED IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED TOYOTA CARE WARRANTY AND ANY COSTS WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET. I JUST LEARNED THAT SIMILAR MODEL YEAR TOYOTA VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE AVALON AND CAMRY, ARE UNDER RECALL DUE TO PROBLEMS THAT RESULT FROM SPIDER WEBS BLOCKING THE A/C CONDENSER DRAINAGE TUBE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT THAT COVERS MORE THAN JUST THE AVALON AND CAMRY MODELS, BUT THE RECALL DID NOT COVER MY HIGHLANDER. WE HAVE AN INFANT SON AND THE GROWTH OF MOLD COULD HAVE SEVERELY IMPACTED HIS HEALTH AND BREATHING. *TR
Structure, Aug 11, 2013
THIS EVENT HAPPENED WHEN MY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2012 (SE V6 4WD) WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. I PRESSED THE REMOTE CONTROL BUTTON TO AUTOMATICALLY OPEN THE CAR HATCH DOOR. THE DOOR WAS OPEN AND STAY UP. HOWEVER, WHEN I WAS PUTTING SOME GROCERY BAGS INSIDE THE CAR, THE DOOR CAME DOWN WITHOUT ANY ANNOUNCEMENT AND HITTING MY HEAD. I HAD HEAD ACHE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. AFTER THIS HAPPENED, THE BACK DOOR DOES NOT STAY UP. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWO DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I AM STILL WAITING FOR A DECISION FROM TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AND WITHOUT MY CAR (3 WEEKS AND COUNTING). I AM CLAIMING A CAR REPLACEMENT FROM TOYOTA. THIS IS THE FIFTH INCIDENT WITH THIS CAR (FIVE CAR REPAIRS BY THE DEALERSHIP UNDER TOYOTA GUARANTY) DURING ITS FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (A BRAND NEW CAR). REALLY DISAPPOINTED FROM TOYOTA CAR QUALITY. I AM AFRAID THAT NEXT TIME WOULD BE A FATALITY OR ANOTHER SERIOUS INJURY WITH IRREVERSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 5, 2013
I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION (RED LIGHT) AND WAS NEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN BUT THIS INTERSECTION DOES NOT HAVE A GREEN ARROW SO YOU HAVE TO YIELD TO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS I PROCEEDED FORWARDED A LITTLE BIT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION SO I COULD MAKE MY LEFT TURN, I SLOWED DOWN TO ALMOST A STOP BECAUSE THERE WERE TOO MANY CARS AND I COULDN'T TURN AT THAT MOMENT. THEN THERE WAS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO TURN SHORTLY AFTER I SLOWED DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP AND I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GO, THEN NOTHING HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE JUST PAUSED FOR ABOUT 2 OR 3 SECONDS AND THEN SUDDENLY JUMPED FORWARD. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR AND SHE THOUGHT IT WAS ME MASHING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT I DIDN'T, IT'S JUST THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND THEN SUDDENLY JUMPED FORWARD! LUCKILY WHEN THIS DELAY HAPPENED, I WASN'T IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFICS LANE, NOR WERE THERE ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC CLOSE AT THAT MOMENT. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, I EVEN THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS ME NOT GIVING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH GAS, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT A MONTH LATER. THIS IS WHEN I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR DELAYED ACCELERATION AND I CAME UPON OTHER'S WHO HAVE MENTIONED THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING WITH THEIR TOYOTA VEHICLES AS WELL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD AND I'VE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR OLDER TOYOTA VEHICLES. I'VE EVEN READ THAT TOYOTA KNOWS OF THE ISSUE ALREADY BUT THEY HAVE NO FIX????? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 16, 2013
ON FEBRUARY 4, 2013 THE HIGHLANDER ACCELERATED THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE EACH TIME AND ENGINE ACCELERATED WHEN COMING TO A STOP EACH TIME. ON JUNE 16, 2013 THE HIGHLANDER ENGINE ACCELERATED AS THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP. WE HAVE HAD ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH TWO HIGHLANDERS AND TWO CAMRYS AND NO ANSWERS FROM TOYOTA AS TO WHY ACCEPT FOR THEM TO TRY AND BLAME IT ON DRIVER ERROR. WHEN A CAR IS AT A STOP AND ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN THEN THERE IS NO DRIVER ERROR. PLEASE HELP US. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jun 12, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SWAYING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A BILLBOARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Mar 22, 2013
TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE 15,000 MILES CHECK UP. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T EVEN A YEAR OLD. THEY TOLD US THE FUEL TANK CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS CRACKED, HOWEVER THE PLASTIC SHROWD WAS NOT. THE DEALER WANTED $1,100 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOW COULD THIS CAR LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND LESS THAN A YEAR OLD HAVE A CRACKED CANISTER, WITHOUT THE SHROWD BEING CRACKED. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A DEFECT THEN THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. *TR
Tires, Wheels, Mar 13, 2013, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON I-35 AND HAS TO STOP AT THE SHOULDER FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO FIX SOMETHING. THE SHOULDER IS SMOOTH AND NEWLY PAVED. THEN I WENT ON DRIVING AGAIN, MINUTES LATE, THE TIRE LOW AIR INDICATOR WAS ON AND A FEW MORE MINUTES LATER, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS TOTALLY FLAT. THE TIRE HAS ONLY 7500 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALER THAT I NEED TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE. AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON IT SINCE IT IS FROM A NEW CAR AND I DID NOT PURCHASE THEIR EXTENDED COVERAGE. I THINK IT IS QUALITY OF THE TIRE USED AND I SAW TONS OF SAME COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER TOYOTA HIGHLANDER OWNERS. *TR
Tires, Feb 5, 2013
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ALONG EL CAMINO REAL IN SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA WHEN WE HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG AND OUR CAR SWAYED TO THE RIGHT AND ALMOST HIT A BYSTANDER. THE REAR PASSENGER RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT AT NO APPARENT REASONS. THERE WAS A BIG CRACK OF 3 TO 4 INCHES ON THE SIDE (INSIDE PART) OF THIS TIRE. WE BROUGHT OUR CAR TO MELODY TOYOTA TELLING THEM THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF NAILS OR ANY OTHER OBJECTS THAT WILL CAUSE THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. FORTUNATELY, WE DECIDED NOT TO TAKE THE FREEWAY THIS TIME OR ELSE WE WILL BE IN A BIG ACCIDENT. MELODY TOYOTA TOLD US THAT IT WAS DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE BUT THEY ARE NOT SURE ABOUT IT BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE SURFACE WAS SO SMOOTH AND NO MARKS OF ANY OBJECTS HITTING IT. IT LOOKED THAT IT CAME FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THEY DECIDED TO SEND THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER (TOYO BRAND) TO INVESTIGATE. OUR WORRY THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WILL TRY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEY WILL RULE THAT IT WAS DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. GRANTING IT WAS DUE TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE THE TIRE SHOULD DEFLATE SLOWLY AND NOT A SUDDEN LOUD BURST. WE ARE REPORTING THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES WHO HAVE THIS BRAND OF TIRES. FORTUNATELY, NOTHING BAD HAPPENED TO US AND THE BYSTANDER. I WAS REQUESTING THE DEALER TO REPLACE ALL OUR TIRES BECAUSE WE HAVE NO PEACE OF MIND DRIVING WITH THESE TIRES. BY THE WAY, OUR CAR IS A BRAND NEW CARTOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2012 THAT WE BOUGHT ONLY LAST JUNE OF 2012, IT WAS AN 8 MONTH-OLD CAR. WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME THE DEALER WAS SELLING ME A SPARE TIRE FOR $300. WHY SHOULD WE PAY $300 WHEN WE ALMOST GOT INTO ACCIDENT?SO, AT THIS TIME WE'RE STILL WAITING WHAT WILL BE THEIR FINDINGS. I HOPE THEY WILL BE HONEST ABOUT IT. I TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE DAMAGED TIRE FOR THE RECORD. *TR